Sheet-metal construction



A. TL HOLME Nov. 27, 1923 2 Sheets-Shee ET METAL cous'rnbc'rxtm une 141921 Patented Nov. 27, 1923.

UNITED STATES ALLAN T. HOLMES, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SHEET-METAL CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed June 14, 1921. Serial No. 477,408.

To all whom it may concem:

Be it known that I, ALLAN T. HOLMES, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSheet-Metal Constructions, of which the following is a specificationThis invention relates to sheet metal construction. The inventioncomprises sheet metal panels and cooperating supporting members orstandards. The panels are so constructed that they can be quicklyassembled or disassembled.

My invention has a wide range of utility. I contemplate its employmentprimarily for the construction of molding forms for concreteconstruction but the same may be used in building portable houses;garages and the like.

In the erection of my invention no fastening means, such as bolts,nails, lugs, liners, or the like are necessary, the panels being merelypushed into interlocking enga ement with the slotted standards.

Flne embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings wherein: i

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the inside face of the wall,

Fig. 2 is an end view of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a perspective of one of the metal standards or supportingmembers.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the inside face of one of the panels,

Fig. 5 is an end View of Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a detail end view of one of the standards showing one of thepanels partly withdrawn, and

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of one of the standards.

Similar numerals designate correspondings parts in all of the views ofthe draw. in s.

eferring to the drawings 1, represents the supporting members orstandards generally, each standard being shown as having inwardlyextending flanges 1 and having lateral extensions 6. The flanges 1 ofthe supporting members are shown as having a plurality of slots 5 alongthe edges thereof, for the purpose to be hereinafter described.

The supporting members or standards are spaced a suitable distance apartand are held in spaced relation by brace rods 2, WlllCh are my inventionto the secured to adjacent standards in any desired manner.

Between the standards or supportingmembers 1, are disposed panels 3,which are preferably of the form shown in the drawings and comprising abody of sheet metal having integral curved flanges 7 and 8 proectingfrom the ends thereof, as shown in ig. 5. These flanges 7 and 8 areadapted to cooperate with the inclined curved slots 5 in the supportingmembers, in such a manner as to prevent their movement when in place butwhich are readily removable when it is desired to dismantle the form. Itwill be noted that the flanges 7 and 8 extend the entire length of thepanels. By so constructing the panels it is possible to interlock thesaid panels with the standards at any point on their entire length, sothat it is not necessary to space the standards equal distance apart,for with my panels it is not essential than the panels break joint withthe standards.

In the drawings I have shown the lateral extensions 6 of the standards,as cut away opposite each slot 5 and having curved surfaces 9 at thesepoints.

The flanges 7 and 8 of the. panels 3, are shown as curved in crosssection, so as to snugly engage the curved surfaces of the slots 5 inthe standards when placed in position as shown in Fig. 2, but it will ofcourse be understood that I am not limitin precise shape of sai flan es.

T e slots 5 of the standards are of such width that there will besuflicient clearance for the flanges 7 and 8 of the panels when saidpanels are being inserted or removed, as clearly shown in Fig. 6.

It will be noted that the flanges 7 and 8 are not of the same length,flange 8 being the longer. By this construction the panels may be easilymanipulated when it is desired to dismantle the forms.

From the drawings it will be seen that to assemble my form a panel isinserted in the lower-most slot in the standards and the next panel isthen inserted so that the upper flange 7 of the firstpanel will rest onthe curved portion 9 and form a bearing surface for the flange of thenext panel. By this arrangement it will be seen that the panels aresecurely held in place by being clamped by the adjoining panel.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have invented a retaining wallstructure having a smooth 'unbroken surface and which may beconveniently and rapidly assembled, or disassembled in sections, andthereby be easily transported.

The foregoing description and the drawings have reference to what may beconsidered the preferred, or approved form of mg invention. It is to beunderstood that may make such changes in construction and arrangementand combination of parts, dimension, et cetera, as may prove expedientand fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I'Iaving described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination, a plurality of supporting members provided withcurved slots, panels provided with curved flanges along their upper andlower edges, said panels adapted to be removably interlocked with saidsupporting members in such a manner that the flange of one paneloverlaps the flange of an adjacent panel to form a substantially smoothouter surface.

2. In combination, a plurality of U shaped supporting members. providedwith slots along the edges thereof, and a plurality of panels providedwith attaching flanges alon their upper and lower edges, said pane sadapted to be removably interlocked with said supporting members in sucha manner that the flange of one panel overlaps the flange of an adjacentpanel to form a substantially smooth outer surface.

' 3. In a sheet metal structure, the combination with slotted supportingstandards, of anels having flanges along their upper and ower edges andso spaced with respect to said standards that the flange of one panelcontacts with the flange of an adjacent panel to form a substantiallysmooth outer surface.

4;. In combination, a plurality of supporting members provided withslots, sheet metal panels provided with integral flanges along theirupper and lower edges, said panels interlocking with said supportingstandards in such a manner that the flange of one panel contacts withthe flange of an adjacent panel to form a substantially smooth outersurface. a i 5. In a device of the class described, the combination withsupporting. standards each provided with curved slots, of a plurality'ofpanels arranged one above theother, said panels having curved flangesalong the upper and lower ed es thereof, and adapted to removably interock with said slots so that the flange of one panel will contact withthe flange of an adjacent panel and form a substantially smooth outersurface.

6. In a device of the class described, the

names"? combination with slotted supporting standards, of a plurality ofpanels provided with flanges along their upper and lower edges andadapted to interlock with said supporting standards so that the flangeof one panel will securely clamp the flange of the adjacent panel andform a substantially smooth outer surface.

7. In a device of the class described the combination with a pair ofspaced U sha (1 standards each provided with slots, of a plurality ofpanels arrangedone above the other, said panels having integral flangesalong their upper and lower edges adapted to removably-interlock withsaid standards so that the flange of one panel will securely clamp theflange of an adjacent panel and form a smooth outer surface.

8. In combination, a plurality of supporting members provided withslots; panels provided with integral downwardl extending flanges alongthe upper and fbwer edges of each panel, said panels interlocking withsaid supporting standards in such a manner that the flange of one panelcontacts with the flange of an adjacent panel go form a substantiallysmooth outer surace.

9. In combination, a plurality of supporting members provided withinclined curved slots along the edges thereof and a plurality of panelshaving curved rearwardly inclined flanges along their upper and loweredges adapted to be removably interlocked with said supporting members,substantially as described.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with slottedstandards, of pan els, flanges on said panels adapted to interlock withsaid standards so that the flange of one panel will overlap the flangeof an adjacent panel to form a substantially smooth outer surface.

11. In combination, a plurality of supporting members provided withslots, sheet metal panels provided with integral attaching flanges onthe upper and lower edges of each panel one of which is longer than theother.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination with slottedsupporting standards, panels, said panels having integral flangesextending downwardly from the upper and lower edges thereof and adaptedto regiovably interlock with said slotted standar s.

' In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ALLAN T. HOLMES.

Witnesses:

JULIE D. HOLMES, KATHRYN A. SUMMERS.

